Overview
A mini escorted tour (with set start/end dates) offering guided sightseeing from Ankara through to Izmir passing through Cappadocia (land of fairy chimneys), Konya (home to the Whirling Dervishes), Pamukkale (natural formation of travertens) and Ephesus (best preserved example of ancient Greco-Roman city). Stay in Istanbul can be added (optional extra) before or after this escorted tour.
*If required, this tour can also be joined from Cappadocia (sightseeing in Ankara then not included)
Tour itinerary
Day 01 - Sunday - Ankara to Cappadocia:
Pick up from Ankara Airport (or bus station or local city centre hotel) for start of the 05-day escorted coach tour. Begin with visit to the Anatolian Civilizations Museum at which numerous remnants from Stone Age, Neolithic Age, Hittites, Urartians, Phrygians and many others are on display. Also visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the burial place of the national hero who founded modern Republic of Turkey. Then continue on to Cappadocia and on arrival check into the hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.
meals: lunch & dinner included
Day 02 - Monday - Exploring Cappadocia
Optional extra early morning hot air balloon ride over the Cappadocian valleys.
After breakfast begin to explore the area visiting Devrent Valley where various types of fairy chimneys are abundant. Thereafter visit Pasabagi (Monk's Valley) with multiple stems and caps, peculiar to this area. Erive to Avanos which is known for pottery, a craft dating back to the Hittite period. The red clay which is worked by local craftsmen comes from the residue in the Kizilirmak river, the longest river of Turkey. After a break for lunch proceed to Goreme Open Air Museum to visit the churches, chapels and monasteries carved into the fairy chimneys from the 10th to the 13th centuries with frescos painted on their walls. Time to take photos in the neighboring valleys before going back to the hotel for overnight stay.
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Day 03 - Tuesday - Konya to Pamukkale
Today’s ride is fairly long due to the distance between Cappadocia and Pamukkale. Drive to Konya and visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the world-wide famous mystic figure & home to the Whirling Dervishes. Then continue on to Pamukkale for overnight stay.
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Day 04 - Wednesday - Pamukkale & Aphrodisias
Today tour the ruins of Hierapolis including the magnificently preserved cemetery "Necropolis", the Main Street and Gates, the Thermal Baths, the Roman Theatre and the Museum. In the afternoon tour Aphrodisias, the city of Aphrodite; visit the Museum, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Theatre, the Stadium, the Agora, the Hadrian Baths, the Odeon, and the Bishop's Palace. Proceed to hotel in Kusadasi for overnight.
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Day 05 - Thursday - Ephesus & Virgin Mary
Explore the Ephesus area with Artemis Temple, Ephesus Antique City (Hillside Houses are excluded; entrance requires additional admission fee), one of the most popular ancient sites of Turkey with many acres of carefully excavated ruins; Virgin Mary’s House, where St. Mary is supposed to spend her last years together with St. John. End of the tour with transfer to Izmir Airport.
meals: breakfast & lunch included
*Options to head on to another part of Turkey and/or combine this itinerary with another country (example Greece, Egypt or Jordan) is also possible, please ask and we will advise accordingly.